Muddy Buddy '09

To think I almost missed out on doing Muddy Buddy this year! This was my third year to participate, but very last minute. Found out on Wednesday that a friends team could not do it, lucky me! It was the first year I really dressed up for it....we were "Miss American Drop Outs". Dressing up made it much more fun and people seem to cheer even more!

Check out the makeup.....bright red lipstick and green eyeshadow.....hotness! ha

Unfortunately, I locked my keys in the car an hour before the race...duh. We had no race packet or camera, but no problem. The race people were kind enough issue us a new number and I found a friend with a camera before the race. She met up with us after to take some muddy pictures too!! Go team Sweethearts! I may be back in time to do Muddy Buddy in May of 2012, depends on if I depart in January!

Why.....

We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service relationship to humanity.
~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.~

Generally, the first question people ask upon finding out I am joining the PC is “Why”. Most cannot fathom spending two years of their lives away from family, friends and the comforts of home, for the unknown. Lately I have been giving this ‘why’ a considerable amount of thought. Why am I doing this? Am I doing it for the right reasons?

Reasons why I am joining:
- to make a difference and help improve the quality of life for others
- because I believe people should be able to have the same quality of life that I have
- to gain a new perspective of the world and my country
- to grow as an individual & realize/strive to reach my full potential
- affect change that will accelerate after I leave the country of service

The other question is ‘why overseas, why not help right here in America?’ For me this question is simple. I believe here in America we are provided with many opportunities to better ourselves, I agree some have it harder than others, but America provides alternatives that most developing countries are unable to offer. Even the poorest of the poor in America have food and shelter, which people in third world countries are not fortunate enough to receive.

I am not naively going into this thinking ‘I’m going to change the world and it’s going to be wonderful’, like anything, it will be a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. I realize there will be moments of pure frustration, doubt and difficult demands, but a lot of things in life are not easy. I could easily feel all of these demands and frustrations right here in Florida.

Must admit it is a little daunting to think I will be 30 when I return, but this is what I want to do. My passion is to work in community development, helping to build a better future for our youth and society. I don’t feel like I am giving up two years of my life to serve; some things may just get ‘put on hold’. Everyone must follow what makes them happy, be honest with who they are, and realistic in the expectations set. This is what I want to do….community development…...working with at risk youth….it’s about following your passion….pushing boundaries and never settling for anything less then what you think you deserve. I do not believe we were simply put here on this earth to make money and buy things to make us happy.

People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.
~Bob Dylan~

http://hypem.com/track/807037/Tim+Barry-Idle+Idylist
- Tim Barry, Idle Idylist

Thinking about tomorrow won’t change how I feel today

Yesterday I officially declined my invitation to serve in Azerbaijan. It all started last Thursday when I discovered that I will not be able to finish up my last two classes of my Masters in Nonprofit Management in the summer term. Here were my options:

1. Decline my invitation for September, take the two classes in the fall to finish up my degree then hope for an invite sometime in January to March.
2. Forget my last two classes and go into the PC in September as planned. The problem is I don't know if I would ever finish up the degree after and I don't want to be obligated to come back to Florida. (I do love Florida and think I will return, but who knows how I will feel after the PC and I don't want to feel obligated to return.)

It was a tough decision with much debate, but I realize the PC will be there in six months, and its just as important to finish my degree when I am so close.

So goodbye Azerbaijan.......heres looking toward the next invite, and discovery of another country!

A few positives to staying in Florida longer:
- running the fall races
- November marathon
- Christmas with family
- more time with friends
- fall league frisbee!